The Electra booth at Interbike is always a refreshingly colorful oasis. This detail on a Sugar Skulls 3i cruiser, with 3-speed internal Shimano drivetrain, happens to match a tattoo sported by our newest staffer, Trina.

With their new Verse line, the company is aiming to bring some style to the typically boring genre of hybrid bikes, those bicycles that were originally intended to be a hybrid of road and mountain. The Verse bikes have hybrid characteristics: 700c wheels with sturdy-but-quick 35mm width tires, a wide gear range (24- or 21-speed), and a fairly upright position. But they also have some interesting colors and a clean look, thanks to internal cable routing, caliper brakes, and quill stems.

The 21D will be $579, and the 24D (below) will be $679.

Those caliper brakes have clearance for fenders, by the way. Nice touch.

More cool colors: this Amsterdam Girard 3i model shows off graphics that go perfectly with the Dutch-inspired mien.

The Night Owl styled 3-speed cruiser was probably my favorite. It’s part of the Fashion cruiser line, priced between $579 and $650.

The classic and functional Ticino line has seen a few tweaks since we reviewed the Ticino 8D in issue #5, most notably a drop in price for their 20D flagship model, now down to $1,500. It also has a larger aluminum rack that can handle up to 50lbs.

Did you know that no company offers more bike bells than Electra? I didn’t.